Natural Resources Fact Sheet

Plant Nutrients–Potassium
Information compiled by the California Fertilizer Foundation

Plant Utilization – Potassium, one of the 17 chemical ele-
ments required for plant growth and reproduction, is often re-
ferred to as the “the regulator” since it is involved with over 60
different enzyme systems in plants.
Potassium helps plants to resist
drought and effects from excessive
temperatures. It also increases crop
resistance to disease. Potassium aids
plants in the production of starches,
controls root growth, and regulates
the opening and closing of pores in
plant cells (called stomata), which is
important for efficient water use.
All plants require potassium, especial-
Application of chloride-free foliar sprays are sometimes used
on certain crops.
History – The letter K, used to sym-
bolize potassium, comes from the
German word kalium. During Colonial
times, people burned wood and other
organic matter in pots to manufacture
soap. The ashes were rinsed and the
water was allowed to evaporate, leav-
ing a residue of potassium salts. Peo-
ple called the residue “pot ashes” or
potash. These salts were boiled with
animal fat to produce soap.
K + K +

ly crops high in carbohydrates, such In 1868, Samuel William Jackson, a

K K
as potatoes. Studies have shown that botanist in Connecticut, burned plants
+ +

Potassium
adequate amounts of potassium may K K and analyzed the ash. Jackson found
+ +

promote the growth of long, strong plants consisted of large amounts of

cotton fibers; increase the shelf life potassium, as well as other minerals.
of fruits; increase the stem length and quantity of roses; en- His work led to the use of fertilizers to promote an increase in
hance the green color and growth of turf grass; and increase crop yields.
the size and quality of fruits, grains, and vegetables.
Top Producing Regions – Canada leads the world potash
Production – Potassium is the seventh most abundant ele- production and exports, producing 8 million tons in 2008.
ment in the Earth’s crust, yet only one to two percent is avail- Russia, Belarus and Germany are also top producers of
able to plants. The rest is fixed with other minerals and un- potash. U.S. production has been stable with most domes-
available to plants. Farmers often apply potassium fertilizer tic production occurring in New Mexico. Lesser amounts are
for optimum plant growth. produced in Utah and Michigan. The price of potash fertil-
izer has increased significantly in the past few years, causing
Most potassium is mined from underground deposits and is mining companies to seek new sources of the raw material
shaft mined, like coal. Some shafts are drilled as deep as throughout the world.
3,000 feet. In some cases, solution mining is also used in
which case water is pumped into the shaft to dissolve the China is the world’s leading potash consumer, using nearly 8
ore. The solution is extracted and allowed to evaporate, leav- million tons in 2008. The U.S. and India are the next leading
ing behind potassium salts. Some potassium comes from consumers of potash fertilizer. Approximately 20 percent of
the evaporation of water from natural salt lakes, such as the 6.5 million tons of potash used in the U.S. is domestically
the Great Salt Lake in Utah, and the Dead Sea in Israel and produced.
Jordan. Tobacco stems, wool waste, sugar beet factory waste
and flue dust also contain potassium, but their use as a Economic Value – United States farmers pay $900 million
fertilizer is limited. annually for potassium fertilizers, with California farmers pay-
ing, approximately $30 million for the product each year.
Forms – Potassium is symbolized as K2O on fertilizer labels
and is the third number on the label. Plants absorb potassium For additional information:
+
in the form of the ion K which dissolves readily in water. California Fertilizer Foundation
4460 Duckhorn Drive, Suite A
Ninety-five percent of all potassium fertilizers come in the form Sacramento, CA 95834
of muriate of potash, also known as potassium chloride. For (916) 574-9744
crops unable to tolerate chloride, potassium sulfate, potas- Fax: (916) 574-9484
sium nitrate and other chloride-free salts are used. Potassium E-mail: pame@healthyplants.org
comes in both liquid and granular form and is usually mixed Web site: www.calfertilizer.org
in the soil or placed directly near the root zones of plants.

This is one in a series of fact sheets composed by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (CFAITC). For additional educational
materials: CFAITC, 2300 River Plaza Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833-3293 (916) 561-5625 (800) 700-AITC Fax: (916) 561-5697
09/09 E-mail: cfaitc@cfbf.com Web Site: www.cfaitc.org ©2009 California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. All rights reserved.
 Potassium Activity Sheet
How Potassium Functions in Plants
• Helps retard crop diseases. • Produces grain rich in starch.

• Builds celluose needed for • Necessary for plant protein

stalk and stem strength. formation.

• Aids in photosynthesis and • Reduces water loss and

food function. wilting.

• Increases root growth and • Assists many enzyme actions.

improves drought resistance.

Lesson Ideas Fantastic Facts

• On a world map, color the major potassium exporters blue
and the major importers red.
• On a map of North America, locate and color the areas where
potassium is mined.
• Research how humans utilize potassium and find out what
foods are high in potassium.
• Make a poster illustrating the various roles potassium plays in
plant growth and health.
• Locate potassium on the periodic table of elements. Learn
about its physical and chemical properties.
• Find two points that are 3,000 feet apart so students can
appreciate the depth of some potassium mine shafts.
• Research the Colonial soap-making process and the various
uses of potash.
• Find out how agronomists determine the potassium contents
of soils.
1. What country is the world’s leading exporter of
potassium?
2. How is most potassium obtained?
3. Why is potassium sometimes called “the regulator?”
4. Name two ways potassium helps plants.
5. Which state in the United States processes the most potas-
sium?
6. Why is potassium called “potash?”
7. Is California a larger importer or exporter of potassium?
8. Name a large United States lake from which potassium is
obtained.
1) Canada 2) Through underground mining 3) It regulates or controls
many plant enzyme systems 4) It aides in protein and starch forma-
tion, stimulates root growth, provides winter hardiness, and opens and
closes cell pores called stomata 5) New Mexico 6) Potash comes
from pot ashes, residue found in wood ashes 7) Importer 8) The
Great Salt Lake in Utah

Lesson Plan: The World of Potassium

Introduction: Potassium is an essential nutrient for plants and
animals. It also has many other uses, depending on its chemical
formulation. Your students will research potassium and its various
uses in detail and create a wall-length mural, which depicts its
importance.
Materials: Reference materials, including encyclopedias, human
nutrition books, plant nutrient requirement books, butcher paper,
paint or markers, glue.
Procedure:
1. Write the following phrases on index cards: plants which pro-
duce fibers for clothing; annual crops, such as celery; forage
crops, such as alfalfa; tubers, such as potatoes; disinfectant;
human nutrition; component in soap; plant guard cells; potas-
sium forms which are usable by plants; agricultural by-prod-
ucts which contain potassium; roses and other flowers.
2. Divide the students into groups of three or four and distribute
one index card to each group.
3. Each group is responsible for researching how potassium
relates to the key words on the index card. After they gather
the details, the group is to decide how they will depict their
knowledge on a wall mural called “The World of Potassium.”
4. In a class discussion, determine what the class mural will look
like so that all aspects of potassium use will be displayed.
5. Have each group create their graphics and text for the mural
and then place it on the mural.
6. Display the mural at a science night or in the library. This may
be displayed with other murals made for other elements, such
as nitrogen and phosphorus.

This is one in a series of fact sheets composed by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (CFAITC). For additional educational
materials: CFAITC, 2300 River Plaza Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833-3293 (916) 561-5625 (800) 700-AITC Fax: (916) 561-5697
09/09 E-mail: cfaitc@cfbf.com Web Site: www.cfaitc.org ©2009 California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. All rights reserved.